What did the Liberal Government do to help the elderly?

Matt SharkeySarosh Afroz

The Pensions Act (1908)

• This gave the elderly weekly pensions from government funds.

• The promise to introduce pensions was in 1908 budget.

• It became the law the following year.

The Pensions Act (1908)

• Everyone over the age of 70 was eligible for a state pension.

• A single person received 5s a week and a married couple 7s 6d (later increased to 10s)

Did the reform help all poor people?

• Only half a million elderly people qualified for state old age pension.

• They were only for people who:• Were over 70• Had an income of below £21 a year…

…

• Were British citizens who had been living in Britain for more than 20 years

• Had not been in prison during ten years before claiming pension.

• Had not “habitually failed to work according to their ability, opportunity and needs”